. >> his possible replacement as defense secretary, former nebraska senator chuck hagel. could move one step closer to being confirmed today. the senate armed services committee plans to vote on hagel's nomination today. >>> speak egg of today, right now, lawmakers are meeting to discuss current and potential laws to help reduce gun violence. a senate judiciary subcommittee is holding a hearing to review new proposals as well as looking at the effectiveness of current gun laws. the director of the johns hopkins center for gun policy and research and family members of shooting victims will be among those testifying today. >>> and this morning, the vatican says pope benedict xvi will not participate in the conclave to pick his successor. next month, more than 100 cardinals will meet at the cat v vatican to begin the closed-door ritual to pick. it takes a two-thirds majority to become pope. this morning on the "today" show father robert baron explained what the cardinals will look for when picking a new pope. here's what he had to say about what happens when when they meet t